(Fiona's POV)
The sterile scent of disinfectant filled the hospital air, pricking at my sensitive nose as the sound of my heartbeat thundered in my ears. I sat stiffly on the chair, my fingers gripping the edge as though it could keep me from spinning out of control.
Dr. Sarah Mitchell stood in front of me with a warm smile, holding a paper that could change my life.
"Congratulations, Luna Valerius," she said, and her voice seemed to echo in the room-almost too loud compared to the drumming of my thoughts. "You're going to have a healthy cub."
I froze, my breath catching. My hands trembled as I reached out and clasped the report she handed me. "I'm pregnant?" My voice cracked, barely over a whisper.
"Yes, about six weeks along," Sarah confirmed gently. Her glasses gleamed under the flickering hospital lights as she studied my face. "The heartbeat is strong. This is a joyous moment for your pack..."
Her voice trailed off as her smile faltered slightly. "Forgive me, Luna, but... why isn't King Alpha Blackwood here with you? First appointments are usually shared between mates."
My stomach tightened, and I struggled to force a smile. "He's... busy with pack duties. Territory disputes," I lied, trying to keep my tone nonchalant. The ache in my chest told me the lie wasn't for her-it was for me.
She nodded sympathetically, misinterpreting the awkward pause as embarrassment. "Of course. Alphas are always busy. But you should tell him soon. It's big news, after all."
Big news. How often had I dreamed of a moment like this? Carrying my mate's cub, becoming the mother to the next Alpha. But reality wasn't like the fairytales I used to believe in. Black didn't love me. Our mating had been arranged-political strategy masked as destiny.
A part of me wanted to use the mate bond right there, to reach out to his mind and share this life-changing moment. But the memory of his cold, sharp words when I last used it on him stopped me. "Don't invade my thoughts without permission, Fiona," he had snapped, his eyes like steel. "I've tolerated much already, but this is too far."
I swallowed hard, forcing the memory away. "Thank you," I murmured to Sarah, clutching the papers tightly as I stood.
Leaving the clinic, the gentle drizzle of rain greeted me. I stepped onto the sidewalk and tilted my face upward, letting the cool drops land on my skin. My hand instinctively went to my stomach. Inside me, a tiny life grew-a reminder that Black and I were connected by more than just a bond we neither of us asked for.
For the first time that day, I smiled softly. "We'll be okay," I whispered, as though the cub could hear me.
The buzz of my phone snapped me out of my thoughts. Pulling it out, I saw a message from Black:
"Bring me an umbrella at the Blue Moon Club."
I frowned, my heart sinking a little. The Blue Moon Club? He was supposed to be attending a pack meeting. My fingers hesitated over the screen, questioning, but I shook my head. Whatever his reasons, my role as Luna meant I supported him-always. Even when he didn't want it.
Calling Thomas, the pack driver, I quickly arranged for him to pick me up.
(Third Person's POV)
The Blue Moon Club was a glittering spectacle in the heart of downtown Seattle, its sleek facade exuding exclusivity. Fiona stepped out under the rain, her clothes damp from the light drizzle. Her eyes lingered on the building, where laughter and muted music spilled through from within.
"Membership card?" the towering bouncer at the entrance grunted, crossing his arms.
Fiona blinked in surprise. "I'm Luna Valerius, of the Northern Ridge Pack. I'm here on behalf of Alpha Blackwood."
He barely glanced at her, unimpressed. "No card, no entry. Those are the rules."
A flush rose to her cheeks, but she kept her tone calm. "Can you inform him I'm here?" she asked, pulling out her phone.
She fired off a quick text to Black: "I'm outside with your umbrella."
Unbeknownst to her, in an upper lounge of the club, a group of werewolves gathered around a table, enjoying the evening. Black sat at the center, his presence commanding as always. Beside him was Seraphina Vane, her perfectly curled hair and elegant dress drawing the occasional glance from the others in their group.
Seraphina's lips curled into a teasing smirk. "Your Luna came all the way to deliver you an umbrella, Black? How loyal."
Julian Rhodes, Black's second-in-command and childhood friend, chuckled as he held up Black's phone. "Couldn't resist sending her a little message. She really does jump at your every word, huh?"
Black grabbed his phone back, his golden eyes narrowing. "Don't play games, Julian," he muttered, his expression unreadable.
Tapping out a quick text, he told Fiona to leave: "Don't need the umbrella. Go home."
Julian laughed again, but Black didn't join in. His gaze lingered out the window for a moment, where he could vaguely make out a figure standing in the rain. But he said nothing.
(Fiona's POV)
The short message made me pause. Standing outside in the rain, I held my phone tightly, staring at the screen. Don't need the umbrella. Go home.
A sinking feeling settled over me, but I shook my head. Maybe he was busy. Maybe this was a misunderstanding. Black was an enigma to me most days, and our decades-apart connection felt like a bridge constantly on the verge of collapse.
I sighed and turned to leave. Before I could step away, two female wolves approached me, their presence immediately making my wolf's ears perk up in warning.
"Well, if it isn't the Luna herself," the taller one sneered, her violet eyes gleaming with mockery.
Beta Jane Thompson.
The second one, Rachel Parker, tilted her head with a smirk. "Out here in the rain? What a sad sight. Does the King Alpha even care about you?"
"I don't want any trouble," I said quietly, my voice steady despite their jabs.
But Jane wasn't having it. "Oh, we're not here for trouble. Just a friendly word of advice. You know Seraphina's back, right?"
The mention of her name made my chest tighten. I clenched my fists, holding back the wave of emotions that threatened to overwhelm me.
"You should gracefully step down as Luna," Rachel added. "Black's real mate is back now. You're just... well, a placeholder, aren't you?"
Their laughter echoed in the rain as they walked away, leaving me standing there, my heart heavy.
My hand drifted to my stomach, seeking the faint comfort in knowing I carried the future Alpha. They didn't know. No one did. Not yet.
By the time I returned to the pack house, I was drenched. My hair clung to my face, and my clothes felt heavy, like they were holding all the weight of my emotions.
"Luna!" Hazel Thorne, our pack healer, rushed over with a towel. Her eyes were wide with worry. "You're completely soaked!"
I barely had the energy to respond, but before I could, Black's presence filled the space. His arrival was like a gust of cold air, commanding everyone's attention.
His golden eyes locked onto me, narrowing. "Why are you wet?" he demanded. His voice was sharp, frustration clear in every word.
I froze under his piercing gaze. I couldn't tell him the truth-not about the prank, not about the Vane wolves' taunts.
"I... I gave my umbrella to a human child," I said softly, keeping my voice even. "She needed it."
His expression darkened. "That was reckless. Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to risk exposure to humans like that? Have I not made myself clear about pack protocol?"
Each word landed like a blow, but I held his gaze, refusing to cower even as my emotions threatened to spill over.
I blinked rapidly, forcing the tears back. Not here. Not in front of everyone.
But it was like he could sense it. His own movements surprised me as much as the pack members watching. Without hesitation, Black strode forward and pulled me into his arms.
It wasn't affection-it was instinct. His wolf side reacting to my distress even as his human self might have fought against it.
But even his arms couldn't keep a single tear from falling. It slipped down my cheek, landing on his shirt before I could stop it.
This secret-the cub, our heir-felt heavier than ever.
